Irish National Opera presents Vivaldi L’Olimpiade at the Lime Tree Theatre on April 27

Irish National Opera brings the Vivaldi opera L’Olimpiade will tour nationally including an appearance on Saturday, April 27, 2024 before travelling to London and Switzerland.

Irish National Opera brings Vivaldi L’Olimpiade to the Lime Tree Theatre as part of a national tour on Saturday, April 27, 2024

Irish National Opera is bringing Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade to the Lime Tree Theatre as part of a national tour on Saturday, April 27, 2024, and this is one production that is not to be missed!

Irish National Opera (INO) continues its award-winning exploration of Vivaldi’s operas with a fast and furious new production of L’Olimpiade, co-produced with the Royal Opera House, London, and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg. Vivaldi’s fiery opera will tour nationally before travelling to London and Switzerland.

Set against the backdrop of the ancient Olympic games, L’Olimpiade explores themes of love, rivalry, and sacrifice, offering singers super-human acrobatic challenges that showcase the composer’s unparalleled musical prowess. Fergus Sheil, artistic director of INO, remarks, “Vivaldi’s operas push the boundaries of vocal artistry, and L’Olimpiade is no exception. It’s a thrilling journey through passion and perseverance.”

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The stellar cast features an array of Irish and international talent, including mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain (Megacle), countertenor Meili Li (Licida), and mezzo-soprano Alexandra Urquiola (Aristea), mezzo-soprano Sarah Richmond (Argene), baritone Chuma Sijeqa (Clistene), soprano Rachel Redmond (Aminta) and baritone Seán Boylan (Alcandro).

L’Olimpiade is the third Vivaldi opera from Irish National Opera, and follows on from the resounding success of Griselda in 2019, and Bajazet in 2022 (a co-production with the Royal Opera House) for which Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra won an Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in opera.

Whelan says “Vivaldi draws on primary colours, with heart-on-sleeve emotions – his work is very special and really comes alive, especially in live performance. Vivaldi grabs you by the heart! L’Olimpiade has love interest, family complications, intrigues, murders… you name it! It has a complex story, but the big themes are love and jealousy, and family pride versus love. Strong hints of Romeo and Juliet!”

L’Olimpiade is directed by Daisy Evans, with set and costume design by Molly O’Cathain and lighting design by Jake Wiltshire and features the Irish Baroque Orchestra.

Aco-production with Royal Opera House, London and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg in partnership with Irish Baroque Orchestra.

“With heart-on-sleeve emotions…Vivaldi grabs you by the heart!” Conductor Peter Whelan.

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ANTONIO VIVALDI 

L’OLIMPIADE 

Sung in Italian with English subtitles
Running time 3 hours with interval 
Co-production with Royal Opera House, London, and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg 

CAST 

Megacle                                  Gemma Ní Bhriain 
Licida                                      Meili Li 
Aristea                                    Alexandra Urquiola 
Argene                                   Sarah Richmond 
Clistene                                  Chuma Sijeqa
Aminta                                    Rachel Redmond 
Alcandro                                Seán Boylan

CREATIVE TEAM 

Conductor                             Peter Whelan 
Director                                  Daisy Evans 
Set & Costume Designer    Molly O’Cathain  
Lighting Designer                 Jake Wiltshire 

Irish Baroque Orchestra 
Saturday 27 April 2024 
Time 8pm 
Tickets €30/€27